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Zebre coach Christian Gajan guilty of abusing match officials

Former Zebre head coach Christian Gajan has been handed a suspended six-month suspension from all rugby.

Last Updated: 22/05/13 9:00pm

Zebre players in action against Harlequins

The ruling follows a meeting of an independent RaboDirect Pro12 disciplinary committee and relates to Gajan's behaviour towards match officials during and after Zebre's defeat to Munster on 3 May.

The Frenchman was found guilty of verbally abusing match officials following the Italian side's final game of the season.

The panel took into account previous incidents involving the ex-Bayonne boss and handed him the ban, suspended for two years. Gajan has the right to appeal.

A RaboDirect Pro 12 statement read: "The independent disciplinary committee considered M Gajan's previous disciplinary record and previous cases of a similar nature, and heard evidence of M Gajan's personal circumstances.

"The disciplinary committee banned M Gajan from participating in rugby union in any capacity anywhere in the world for a period of six months.

"However, the disciplinary committee suspended the sanction for a period of two years, so that it will not be imposed unless and until M Gajan is found guilty of misconduct again in that period."